Fifteen years ago bookings were generated through travel agencies, write ups or ads in publications, repeat-customers and referrals. Today travelers go on-line and search the web. Of course, repeat customers and referrals are still important, but in a world where billions are connected to the Internet, on-line marketing channels are the dominant driver for business.READ MORE

There has been alot of tweeting, blogging and facebooking about Tripadvisor´s new service recently. It is sheduled to start in September. Here a summary of the facts:

Tripadvisor Connect will allow independent hotels and B&B´s to display real-time availability and online booking on their Tripadvisor profile and let them participate in the hotel price comparison search.

Mobile devices have become a natural part of most peoples lives. More and more people are browsing the internet on mobile devices like smart phones and tablet. According to Phocuswright mobile travel bookings will account for 27% of the U.S. online travel market by this year – from just 5% in 2012.

I have had many nice restaurant meals but one experience a couple of years ago keeps coming back to my mind. The food was good, the place nice but really not much better than many other places I have been to since. Different was what happened at the end. After we had payed we were given a pretty box with two complementary muffins for breakfast.

The general outlook for the tourism industry is still positive. However, The World Travel and Tourism Council thinks that the change in economic outlooks suggest a potential weakening of Travel & Tourism growth in 2013 in Europe and parts of Asia. The key hotel online marketing trends 2013 might help you to stay on top of things.

The idea of cross-selling is getting a customer to buy something else together with the product or service they already have chosen. The classic example is McDonald’s standard question: ‘Do you want fries with that?’ Cross-selling does not mean manipulating your guests. It is about offering something the customer has genuine interest in, someting well-connected to the product they already have decided they want.

Do you offer additional services such as transport, meals, bicycle hire, a sightseeing trip, room-extras, tours , classes, activities or events? How about sports? Do you have a tennis court, fitness room? Tell your guests and let them book them as extras together with their room.